For the first time, scientists managed to trap molecules to perform quantum operations 14:22

A team of Harvard University scientists, led by chemistry and physics professor Kang-Kuen Ni, has managed for the first time to capture molecules and use them to perform quantum operations. This opens up new possibilities for the use of molecular structures in quantum computing. The study was published in the journal Nature.

Molecules have not been used in quantum computing for a long time due to their complex internal structure and instability. Unlike simpler particles such as atoms or ions, molecules are difficult to control, making them difficult to use as qubits, the basic units of information in quantum computers.

Scientists have managed to stabilize sodium cesium (NaC) molecules using optical tweezers, which are highly focused laser beams that cool molecules to ultra-low temperatures. This made it possible to minimize their motion and use electrical interaction to perform quantum operations.

The team conducted an experiment in which two NaC molecules were entangled and formed a two-qubit Bell state (a quantum entanglement state of two qubits) with 94% accuracy. This was made possible through the use of the iSWAP quantum logic element, which changes the states of the qubits.

Entangled states of molecules pave the way for the creation of molecular quantum computers. Such devices can exploit the rich internal structure of molecules to process data with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

“This is an important step towards creating a molecular platform for quantum computing,” said study co-author Annie Park. He added that the molecules’ unique properties offer a wide range of new opportunities for the development of quantum technologies.

Now the researchers plan to work to improve the system’s stability and expand its ability to control molecules.

Previous scientists showedhow the quantum “umbilical cord” connects metals and insulators.